Welcome to the Missouri Bicentennial Minute from the State Historical Society of Missouri.
Courts and their actions structured life in Missouri at statehood, as well as providing interest and entertainment. Missouri’s first constitution altered the organization of the court system. The Supreme Court, comprised of three judges, held two sessions annually in up to four convenient districts. It heard causes originating in the district where it sat. Circuit courts, the trail courts, had jurisdiction over inferior tribunals, involving most criminal and civil cases. The Constitution provided division of the state into convenient districts, each with an appointed judge. Judges rode a circuit and held court in county seats within their district. Most early cases involved trespass or debt.
The Constitution gave a court of chancery under an appointed chancellor jurisdiction in equity, or unequal treatment, cases not involving monetary damages, and estate administration. An 1822 amendment abolished this court and the chancellor’s office, subsequently circuit courts heard local equity cases.
The Constitution authorized counties to establish “inferior tribunals” to transact business (County Courts) and oversee probate. Additionally, counties could appoint justices of the peace—as many “as the public good may be thought to require.” Subsequent laws regulated their powers and duties.
Sitting of circuit court in the county seat was an occasion for gatherings in early Missouri. Residents learned of dates by word of mouth, public notices, or newspaper notices. People traveled great distances to court days, as indicated by the names of empaneled jurors. Rural residents visited with friends and relations on court days, peddled produce and other productions of cottage industries, or heard local orators or more talented attorneys. In fact, court day was a major event in many counties until the early 20th Century.
